News

Unity urged on Closing the Gap

Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:22:00

The Mallee’s peak Koori body is urging community and Government to keep faith in the groundwork and the small but significant gains on closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

The Federal Government this week released the Closing the Gap report, which showed most targets are not on track to be met, including the critical goal of closing the gap on life expectancy.
However, Mallee District Aboriginal Services Chief Executive Officer Rudolph Kirby said while the report showed there is still a lot of work to do, it was important not to overlook the important gains being made.
“Here in the Mallee we know our programs are making a difference,” Mr Kirby said.
“The Closing the Gap report does show there is a great deal to do – but it also shows that nationally we are on track to closing the gap on school attendance within five years, for example,” he said.
“We are also on track to meet targets on Indigenous mortality rates for children under five and the target on year 12 attainment. 
“While the life expectancy goals do take the focus, the reality is that for the future of Indigenous people,  the targets we are on-track to meet in relation to children and young people are hugely important and should not be overlooked in the broader context of the report.”
Mr Kirby said there was local evidence that health and wellbeing for Koori people was improving in Mallee communities.
“We have Koori people who never have before come through the door and engaged with our services, and that is where change needs to start,” he said.
“In 2014 alone, we had 544 new clients registered with MDAS health services in Mildura, Swan Hill and Kerang – and in every one of those cases we take the opportunity to support those people in making changes in lifestyle that will, ultimately, help close the gap.
“Programs like our Healthy for Life Program are aimed squarely at driving long-term lifestyle changes – last year there were 1825 clients registered and regularly attending Healthy for Life QUIT programs, boot camps, Elders health groups, gym and walking groups. 

“The potential from these successes are enormous – but in terms of Closing the Gap, the achievements of programs like these will only be measured in the longer-term.”

Mr Kirby said the work MDAS was currently doing within its communities in Mildura, Swan Hill and Kerang were aimed at bringing about generational change.

“Our programs on strengthening families, the Early Years and engaging families have been recognised in Australia and even internationally as leading the way in the sector,” he said.
“They are already delivering outcomes that make a real difference now to the quality of life, opportunities and the achievements for our children, but they are also our pathway to long-term, sustained success.”
Mr Kirby said the changes were long-term and Indigenous organisations and their partners would need to stay the course.
“This is a partnership, not only with local, State and Federal Government, but also with our local Mallee communities,” Mr Kirby said.
“We are not one organisation who can do it alone.  To get where we want to go as a community means we need to understand the small steps we are making, and be prepared to take a long-term view.
“Above all, we do need a long-term commitment that the Government won’t be taking its foot off the pedal at this crucial time and that we will have the resources to ensure the progress continues.”